Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip (Quick and High Protein)
This Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip is creamy, fresh, and packed with classic ranch flavor. Blending cottage cheese with Greek yogurt, buttermilk, fresh herbs, and lemon juice creates a smooth, flavorful dip that works just as well with a veggie tray as it does as a salad dressing.
We find ourselves making this recipe often for meal prep because it keeps well in the refrigerator and adds extra protein to snacks throughout the week. Whether you're serving it for game days, packing it alongside fresh vegetables for lunch, or looking for a healthier alternative to traditional ranch dip, this recipe is a great option.
If you enjoy our Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Keto Broccoli Salad, this homemade ranch dip is another easy way to add fresh flavor to vegetables without relying on store-bought dressings.
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Ingredients
A handful of simple ingredients come together to create a creamy cottage cheese ranch dip with plenty of fresh flavor.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Cottage Cheese: The perfect base for this high protein ranch dip. Blending cottage cheese creates a surprisingly smooth and creamy texture while adding plenty of grams of protein.
- Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: Both work well here. We usually reach for Greek yogurt when we want extra protein, but sour cream creates a slightly richer, more traditional ranch flavor.
- Buttermilk: Helps loosen the dip while adding the tangy flavor that ranch lovers expect. If you'd like a thicker dip for serving with veggie sticks, simply reduce the amount slightly.
- Fresh Parsley, Dill, and Chive: Fresh herbs make a huge difference in this recipe. We've tested dried herbs when needed, but the flavor of fresh dill, parsley and chives is hard to beat.
- Lemon Juice, Freshly Squeezed: A squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up and balances the creamy base.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the dip a fresher flavor than garlic powder, though either can work in a pinch.
Grab your food processor, measuring cups and spoons and a serving bowl for this simple dip recipe.
Variations
- Make It Thicker: Use slightly less buttermilk for a thicker dip that's perfect for a veggie tray or fresh veggies.
- Turn It Into a Salad Dressing: Add additional milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add Extra Flavor: A little onion powder, garlic powder, or your favorite seasonings can add even more ranch flavor.
- Use Sour Cream: Sour cream creates a flavor that's closer to classic ranch dressing.
- Try Pickle Juice: A small splash of pickle juice adds a tangy twist that works surprisingly well.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip
This easy dip comes together in just a few minutes.
Into the base of a food processor, or high powdered blender, add cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, parsley, dill, chives, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper (I usually start with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon ground pepper) and blend until smooth.
Taste then adjust any seasonings, chill if desired or and serve right away.
Hint: Blend well; cottage cheese brands can vary in texture. We find an extra minute of blending often creates the smoothest results.
Recipe Tips
- Buttermilk Hack: To make your own, add 1 cup milk to a spouted measuring cup or glass, and stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes and then use as needed.
- Taste Before Serving: Fresh herbs can vary in strength, so don't be afraid to adjust the herbs, salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preferences.
- Let It Chill: The ranch flavor becomes even better after an hour or two in the refrigerator.
- Use Fresh Herbs When Possible: While dried herbs work in a pinch, fresh herbs give this dip a much better flavor.
If you're looking for another protein-packed snack, our Cilantro Lime Dressing is an easy prep-ahead option that pairs perfectly as a dip with fresh vegetables and a topping for meals.
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Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: We do not recommend freezing this dip, as the texture can become grainy once thawed.
- Make Ahead: This is one of those recipes we often make a day ahead because the flavors continue to develop as it sits.
Serving Suggestions
- Small Bites: Wonton Taco Cups, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers, Big Mac Egg Rolls and Cranberry Brie Bites.
- More Dips: Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip, Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip, Baked Jalapeño Popper Dip or Sausage Queso Dip.
Cottage Cheese Ranch Recipe FAQs
Not really. Once you blend cottage cheese, the texture becomes incredibly smooth and the flavor is much milder than many people expect. Whenever I make this, no-one knows, they just assume it is a traditional ranch dip.
Yes. We've made this with both full-fat and low-fat cottage cheese and had great results with both. Full-fat tends to produce a slightly creamier texture.
You can. If needed, regular milk with a little extra lemon juice works well. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
The exact amount will depend on the cottage cheese and Greek yogurt brands you use.
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Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip
Equipment
- Food Processor or High Powered Blender
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 cup buttermilk *see notes
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley
- ⅓ cup fresh dill
- ¼ cup fresh chives
- 2-3 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Into the base of a food processor, or high powdered blender, add cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, parsley, dill, chives, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper (I usually start with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon ground pepper) and blend until smooth.
- Taste, then adjust any seasonings, chill if desired or and serve right away.
Notes
- Buttermilk Hack: To make your own, add 1 cup milk to a spouted measuring cup or glass, and stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes and then use as needed.
- Taste Before Serving: Fresh herbs can vary in strength, so don't be afraid to adjust the herbs, salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preferences.
- Let It Chill: The ranch flavor becomes even better after an hour or two in the refrigerator.
- Use Fresh Herbs When Possible: While dried herbs work in a pinch, fresh herbs give this dip a much better flavor.
- Blend well: Cottage cheese brands can vary in texture. We find an extra minute of blending often creates the smoothest results.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: We do not recommend freezing this dip, as the texture can become grainy once thawed.
- Make Ahead: This is one of those recipes we often make a day ahead because the flavors continue to develop as it sits.
- Nutrition values calculated using Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
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